I started doing my own Scottish figures
before the major companies really got into it. I was a member of
the Caledonian Society here in Arizona, and had my own 1:1 scale
Scottish outfit. It seemed only fitting that I create figures on
my own to honor the brave Scots in history. I
tended to pick a historic period, then create a Scottish soldier from
that era.
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Scottish Border, Circa 1630
Pictured here are a Scottish Border Lord, and his headsman. These would
be "reivers" to other lords and "raiders" to those
Brits who lived on the other side of the border.
This laird owns a bit of land on the Scottish side of the southern
border with England, and patrols it frequently to keep poachers,
thieves, and settlers off of it. His Heidsman would most likely do the
worst of the patrols, and sometimes patrol a bit farther than his own
lands, and do a bit of "asset recovery" on his own. Sometimes,
this asset recovery was proactive rather than reactive.
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Heidsman
The Heidsman would be a lead foreman or hand on today's ranches, and was
often the Laird's eldest son. He wears his bonnet on top of his flat pan
helmet, as a means of identification as well as pride. This was a common
practice among the reivers.
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Colonial Scotsman, circa 1760
This is an immigrant Scot to the new colonies in America, about the time
of the French/Indian war. He would have fought for the British/Colonial
troops on the frontiers in America and Canada.
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Boer War Scot
This Scot of a Highland Division served in South Africa during the Boer
War, circa 1880.
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Boer
War Scot
This is the Dragon Models version of the British 24th Regiment of Foot,
serving in South Africa during the last Zulu War.
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British
Colonial Expansion Scot
This Scot of a Highland Division served in the British Colonial Army
during the African Colonization era.
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Waterloo Era Scot
This Scot served in the Fields of Europe, against Napolean.
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Scottish lewis gunner, circa 1915
Scottish Forces still wore kilts into the Great War, but by the end,
they had disappeared from normal service wear. After WWI, they appear
only in formal functions, parades, and dress occasions.
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WWI era Scottish Highlander
This Scot protects his tartan (Scottish wool) Kilt with a canvas
(sometimes leather) trench Kilt. Essentially, this was a canvas wrap
with a pocket worn in the trenches to protect the Kilt itself from mud,
snags, etc.
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WWII era
Not historically accurate, this WWII era Scot features a fur sporran and
a Tommy gun. Scottish troops were not wearing Kilts into combat by 1939,
but I added one to this figure because I thought he looked cool!
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Tunisia, 1941
It is barely possible that this Scot could have worn his kilt (and
leather sand cover) in 1941 Tunisia. Rules and regulation were a bit
more lax in North Africa, and the Kilt helped the Scots move freely in
the heat and cold of the desert, as well as be admired by the local
beduins (who also effected long, loose skirts and robes).
This Scot would have likely belonged to the 52nd
Highland Infantry Division, 7th Armoured, and later become one of the
famous Desert Rats.
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SSAS: Scottish Special Air Services
I don't think any Scotsman would go on a covert mission in his Kilt, but
you have to admit, this guy still looks tough.
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Pirates and Swashbucklers
Lots of Scots sailed the seas, on both sides of the law.
Privates, Privateers, and Naval Officers are found throughout
Scottish Folk History. |
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Just playing with period pieces and clothing to create this "privateer" figure.
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Modern Scots
This Desert Warfare Scot is from the 52nd Highland Division, Royal
Scottish Dragoons, 7th Armoured.
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Scottish Piper
A Typical Highland Piper.
Link to the Calgary
Highlander's web Page
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Bagpipe details
I handmade this Scottish Bagpipe, and later, made a second for my Wife's
Scottish Barbie doll. It was an interesting challenge to assemble.
Luckily, it is non-working, so we are not subjected to the wailing
tune-up of the pipes and reeds day and night.
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